Gaubert Sonata No. 3, Mov. 2

Major: Doctoral of Musical Arts (DMA) in flute performance (3rd year) 

How do you see art connected to nature? 

I have never thought of art as being, in any way, separated from nature. Art is conceived when an artist organizes elements of nature itself in a certain manner to pass a message or trigger a certain feeling in the audience. Music, for example, is simply the organization of sounds that can have various goals. 

What inspired you to create your piece? 

My main goal as a musician is to help people make the most of the experiences they're looking for on the occasion/event I'm performing. At church, my goal is to help people dive very deeply into a state of prayer and meditation; In my private concerts, I want my audience to be entertained by stories behind the music, the composers, and the artists involved in the performance. For this collaboration with Beal Garden, I would like to help people have a relaxing walk around the garden. This movement of Gaubert's sonata has a very relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. I would like the slow swells in the music and the soft passages to be an invitation for people to take slow deep breaths while appreciating the beauty of the simple things nature can give us. 

How does engaging in your passion improve your wellbeing? 

As someone passionate about music and about my goals as a musician, simply playing my music for people improves my mood. The sense of fulfillment I get when people come talk to me after concerts, saying how my music touched them, is priceless, and I hope I can accomplish that goal with this collaboration!